| Sometimes a light touch is all you need. At least, that's | | | | the head may be traumatised, especially if there has |
| what proponents of craniosacral therapy believe. This | | | | been an aided birth using forceps or ventouse suction. |
| relatively new type of massage, which has only been | | | | While there is no evidence that CST can help, no |
| widely used in the alternative mainstream for about 30 | | | | adverse effects have been reported and the vast |
| years, works to alleviate problems associated primarily | | | | majority of babies - and their parents - find the whole |
| with pain and loss of function. It does this by applying | | | | affair a calming, relaxing experience. |
| very light pressure to evaluate and correct the body's | | | | Reasons parents take their babies to a craniosacral |
| craniosacral system: connected to the brain and spinal | | | | therapist include: |
| cord. | | | | Reflux/colic |
| While the people who seek out cranisosacral therapy | | | | Sleeping problems |
| are sometimes disabled individuals or parents of babies | | | | Feeding problems |
| who have undergone some type of birth trauma, it is | | | | Inability to breastfeed properly |
| also recommended for people who suffer from | | | | Excess crying |
| migraines, tension, anxiety and other relatively minor | | | | Asymmetrical head shape |
| disorders. People who have it often report a variety of | | | | Please note that if you decide to take your baby to a |
| benefits, including improved sleep, better mobility and | | | | craniosacral therapist yo may be able to get help from |
| increased energy. | | | | your insurance company to pay for it, so get a referral |
| Unlike many other alternative treatments, there is lots | | | | before you go. |
| of anecdotal evidence that craniosacral therapy can | | | | Helping Disabled People |
| work - at least in very disabled patients. However, | | | | CST can also be of benefit to people who have |
| there is very little scientific evidence to back that up. | | | | experienced severe medical problems, such as spinal |
| And whether it will help you to sleep better, or make | | | | cord injuries due to accident, cerebral palsy and other |
| your baby's colic go away or feel better, is also still up | | | | conditions. While proponents of it as a healing tool do |
| for discussion. | | | | not claim that it can cure problems, they hope that its |
| How Does Craniosacral Therapy Work? | | | | less-invasive techniques can help patients develop their |
| Also known as CST or cranial osteopathy, this therapy | | | | own muscle and nervous systems to protect |
| centers around a very light massage on the | | | | themselves against further worsening of the condition, |
| craniosacral area, working the spine and the head | | | | or other disease in general. |
| together to realign bones, allow the spinal fluid to flow | | | | According to a craniosacral therapist who has worked |
| unrestricted, and reduce pain. Like many alternative | | | | with adults who have cerebral palsy for the last five |
| therapies it claims to help the body heal itself, and says | | | | years: "Many of these look forward to their CST |
| that by doing so it can bolster our ability to fight | | | | sessions to relieve tight and twisted fascia that |
| disease and help treat a variety of problems | | | | impedes the cerebral spinal fluid from circulating easily. |
| associated with either dysfunction or pain. | | | | Many report fewer headaches and backaches, less |
| While having someone play around with your brain and | | | | stress and more mobility. This often makes a |
| spinal cord may sound a bit dicey, the massage is | | | | significant difference in the quality of life for someone |
| actually completely non-invasive and quite relaxing, | | | | with disabilities." |
| involving a cranial osteopath gently manipulating your | | | | While insurance will probably not cover CST to treat |
| skull as you lie on a massage table and try not to think | | | | CP, if the condition was a result of an accident at birth, |
| of Frankenstein. | | | | your pay-out may be able to cover it. |
| It all started thanks to one Dr William G. Sutherland, | | | | Scientific or Silly? |
| who believed that the bones in the skull were pliable, | | | | CST is known as a gentle yet powerful treatment that |
| and that by gently moving them and touching the | | | | has positive effects for many people. While it may not |
| membranes, muscles and tissues surrounding the brain | | | | work for everyone - and while it doesn't claim to be |
| and spinal cord, other bodily functions could be fixed, | | | | able to cure everything - the fact that it is non-invasive |
| enhanced and improved. | | | | with no adverse effects means many people are |
| According to one massage website, "when blockages | | | | willing to give it a go. |
| occur in spinal fluid, an inharmonious balance in the | | | | Before you break into your bank balance, however, |
| body can occur, resulting in muscle and joint strain, | | | | keep in mind that this therapy - like most alternative |
| emotional disturbances, and the improper operation of | | | | and/or complementary treatments - has its critics. "I do |
| the body's organs and central nervous system". | | | | not believe that craniosacral therapy has any |
| Sutherland died in 1954, but he began teaching his ideas | | | | therapeutic value. Its underlying theory is false because |
| in the 1930s, and established the Sutherland Cranial | | | | the bones of the skull fuse by the end of adolescence |
| Teaching Foundation a year before his death. His work | | | | and no research has ever demonstrated that manual |
| was carried further by John Upledger DO, who has | | | | manipulation can move the individual cranial bones," |
| even founded his own institute called the Upledger | | | | writes Dr Stephen Barrett MD in his Quackwatch |
| Institute. | | | | website. |
| Since then his methods have been expanded on, and | | | | "Nor do I believe that 'the rhythms of the craniosacral |
| while several big academic treatises have been | | | | system can be felt as clearly as the rhythms of the |
| published expanding the technique's merits, others have | | | | cardiovascular and respiratory systems,' as is claimed |
| claimed that there is little scientific evidence to back | | | | by another Upledger Institute brochure. The brain does |
| them up. | | | | pulsate, but this is exclusively related to the |
| One reason that may be the case is because of the | | | | cardiovascular system, and no relationship between |
| wide spectrum of ailments craniosacral therapy claims | | | | brain pulsation and general health has been |
| to be able to treat. They include everything from | | | | demonstrated." |
| chronic fatigue to colic to scoliosis, and also include | | | | As always, you be the judge... |
| autism, learning difficulties and post-traumatic stress | | | | The information in the article is not intended to |
| disorder. | | | | substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your |
| Benefit to Babies | | | | health care provider. We encourage you to discuss |
| Craniosacral therapy has long been seen as a way to | | | | any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate |
| relieve minor problems in newborns and infants. It is | | | | health care provider. |
| thought that during delivery the head and muscles near | | | | |